• No need to complete your tax return in one sitting, you can always come back to your tax return – simply save your file and logout.
• Choose an occupation that describes your role accurately as there are many deductions and expenses that are industry-specific.
• Ensure you answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions accurately as this will direct you to sections that are relevant for your tax return. You can change your responses to these questions at any time.
• Use a valid email address so all communications from us regarding your tax refund/return are received.
• If you have previously used our service, login to your existing account to save time on your current tax return. Use Password Recovery or Contact us if you have forgotten your password.

• Gather all your income statements including PAYG summaries, Centrelink payments (e.g. Newstart or Youth Allowance), superannuation payments, Employment Termination Payments, dividends statements, etc.
• Ensure you have all deductible expenses and donation receipts – you will need receipts or other written evidence if you are claiming more than $300 of work-related deductible expenses. You also may be required by the ATO to explain any claims that amount to less than $300.
• Schedule of work related expenses
• Business income and expenses
• Rental properties income
• Tax Statements related to any income from managed funds
• Australian Bank Account details into which your refund should be paid
• Photo ID, passport or citizenship certificate – you may need to provide this to us if you became an Australian citizen during the tax year. A government-issued photo ID and a letter from the ATO stating your full name may be required if we unable to add you as a client with the ATO

Certain tax deductions can be claimed that are directly related to earning your income. These allowable deductions can be subtracted from your total income to arrive at your taxable income. You only need to pay tax on your taxable income. Generally, tax deductions are not private, domestic or a capital expense. You may only claim a deduction for the work-related portion if the expense is both work and private/domestic related.

1. Uniforms and Protective Clothing: Eligible clothing includes –

• Compulsory uniform costs e.g. police force, ambulance officer, etc.;
• Protective clothing and footwear e.g. hard hats, safety glasses, gloves;
• Occupation specific uniforms;
• Clothing with employer’s logo that you are required to wear.

You can also claim the cost of repairing, cleaning and renting eligible protective or work-related clothing. If the value of this is under $150, no written documentation of required, however, we always suggest keeping receipts or documentation for ease when completing your tax returns.

2. Equipment and Tools: work-related equipment and tools that cost less than $300 each can be claimed as a tax deduction. Items over $300 must be depreciated over the item’s useful life.

Example eligible equipment and tools: computers, iPads, mobile phones; power tools, ladders, toolkits; printers, brief cases.

3. Self-education expenses: you may be able to claim the costs of self-education if one of the following describes your situation:

• Direct connection between self-education and your current work or income generating activities at the time the expense was incurred;
• Demonstration that the study leads to or is likely to lead to increased income from your work activities/current employment;
• Other circumstances exist where demonstrable a direct connection between self-education and current work activities
• You cannot claim a deduction for self-education for a course that only in a general way to your current employment or profession, or will enable you to get new employment.
  • Examples of claimable self-education expenses are: student union and course fees; text books, stationery, photocopying; travel and accommodation if required to be away from home overnight; home office expenses.
  • Examples of expenses not eligible to be claimed: HECS-HELP payments; occupancy expenses e.g. rent, house insurance, council rates, mortgage interest.

4. General Expenses: regardless of profession or occupation, there are a range of tax deductions that are available to all Australians including but not limited to.

• Telephone and internet fees (for the work related portion only)
• Tax agent fees
• Donations to registered charities